think I got off lightly
You did. My testicles spontaneously retracted when I read your original post.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Went down like a sack of spuds
(58 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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Just read it - yikes! Fair to say that's one of my nightmare scenarios. Glad you're ok.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Eek. Glad it wasn't a heck of lot worse. Heal well.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bad one. Glad you are OK. I see a few of these at Bicycle Works. Some big name brands too.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Ed1: I see on line that aluminium bars can have catastrophic failure
That's a key difference between steel and aluminium. Fatigue failure in steel can be usually be detected before the component actually fails by inspecting for cracking. Aluminium has a nasty tendency to let go without warning. That, in simple terms, is why airframes (which you alluded to) are certified for a fixed number of takeoffs and landings. Vulcan XH558 is now permanently grounded because its aluminium airframe has exceeded its lifetime load cycle limit (the Vulcan to the Sky folks were also starting to have problems keeping enough engines serviceable, but that wasn't the main reason for the end of flight - they are still doing high power ground runs.)
It would be hellishly difficult to come up with a similar set of rules for bikes. It's basically not possible to put together retirement criteria for alloy bike frames because it's not practical to keep track of the loadings they're subjected to in normal use. On the road there's impacts from cobbled streets, sleeping policemen, potholes - even kerb-hopping, if you indulge in that sort of thing. The list is even longer for off-road riding.
Posted 6 years ago # -
re: bike shops offering MOTs, I don't think there's a shop in the land would want that liability!
You would need some sort of ultrasonic scanner or something (and the training and skills to use it) to try and detect flaws that led to that ^ fork failure.
The only pragmatic approach is to try and use rule of thumb/estimated lifespans, we do this for mechanical services in buildings, but it means we end up recommending thousand of pounds worth of replacement equipment because CIBSE say that the existing stuff has reached end of life, no prizes for guessing what the clients do with those recommendations!
commiserations OP, I would have offered you a free replacement fork but it's bright pink and creaks a bit, which is why I now use it as a glorified toilet roll holder :D
Posted 6 years ago # -
I can't work out what broke, from the photo. There seems to be an aluminium element within the steerer tube. What is that?
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Cyclingmollie - as far as I can tell, its an aluminium steerer tube that's pressed into the top of the forks.
I have other pics if you wish. It is presently on display at the Elec Cycle Comp on Granton Rd.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Now that's why I thought it was maybe a quilled steerer that had snapped.
Can we get them there pics, Iain? I'm intrigued.
Posted 6 years ago # -
It's a pity forks don't come with a 2mm internal cable wire connecting the compressor top cap to the underside of the fork.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Iain McR: I've just realised that you have (had?) a CX bike with cantilever front brakes. I have a Specialized carbon fork with canti bosses which you'd be welcome to have if it would fit your bike. I switched to a disc front brake a couple of years ago so the old fork is redundant. It's in excellent nick (and dates from after the time when Specialized had the problem with their carbon forks which forced them to do a major recall). PM me if you'd be interested.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@ejstubbs thank you for the lovely offer - however a replacement fork is already ordered.
UPDATE #l: GT have asked me to box up the bike and they will collect - they want to see it. So perhaps they will replace the broken bits. (maybe I should have waited on ordering the fork).
UPDATE #2: My Garmin no longer working since the crash, so that's going back. Fear not though @IWRATS, I am using the mobile app in the interim.
UPDATE #3: The bruise on my elbow is quite spectacular.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Fear not though @IWRATS, I am using the mobile app in the interim.
Good news chief. By 'mobile app' you mean sack barrow, yes?
Posted 6 years ago # -
@IWRATS - yes, I have Bellhop #1 call out every 10th stride and Bellhop @2 strikes a small triangle every 10 seconds, so I can keep a manual record.
Below is my KOM on The Mound
Posted 6 years ago # -
Elbow bruise pics plz.
Posted 6 years ago # -
GT have collected and inspected the bike, turns out the frame has suffered terminal damage also :(
Is there a standard duration for the period of mourning when this happens ?
we never even got to say goodbye properly ...
Posted 6 years ago # -
I wouldn't mourn for it at all. It tried to kill you.. While you may have loved it, you need to realise that it was probably a cyclopath.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I would (will?) suffer genuine grief if my bike died. I feel your pain.
Shall we hold a brief wake in Oman's tonight?
Posted 6 years ago # -
So we can mourn @Iain and you too after you accidentally offend a regular with your weeping?
Posted 6 years ago # -
I just checked TripAdviser and it's ages since anyone was killed there.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I think it's ok to stop wearing a black armband once you have a new N.
while you are N-1 mourning is perfectly natural.
Posted 6 years ago # -
You know how some people have beloved pets stuffed so they can keep them around even after death? Maybe there's a bike equivalent...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Cromodermy?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Replacement looks like it's sorted.
Arriving mid-March. GT sufficiently concerned / understanding they've offered a replacement @ trade.
So nice of them as I wasn't expecting or asking or even hinting.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Hurrah! Shall we wet the baby's head? (NOT in Oman's.)
Posted 6 years ago # -
Omans doee get quite a few mentions on CCE, seems only reasonable that is there, add I can't see PY/notPY making it there anytime soon.
Old bike returned, although too the wrong shop.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Replacement has arrived 6 weeks ahead of schedule - normal service soon to be resumed. As much fun as it was charging round on the 29er MTB, it is not really the ideal commuting machine.
onwards
Posted 6 years ago # -
I collected it this morning.
Feeling slightly underwhelmed, perhaps I will grow to love it in time.
Posted 6 years ago #
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